Government

State Rep. Steve Owens Holding Multiple Office Hours in September

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State Rep. Steve Owens. The following information was provided by State Rep. Steve Owens:

State Representative Steve Owens will be hosting office hours throughout the month of September for residents of the 29th Middlesex District. The Representative is looking forward to hearing from constituents on state-related legislative or personal matters. The sessions will be at the following times and locations:

Monday, September 12th10 a.m. – 12 p.m.Deluxe Town Diner627 Mount Auburn Street, Watertown MAJoint Office Hours with City Councilor Tony Palomba

Friday, September 23rd8:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.Mosesian Center for the Arts321 Arsenal Street, Watertown MAWednesday, September 28th10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Cambridge Public Library, Collins Branch64 Aberdeen Avenue, Cambridge MAFriday, September 30th10 a.m. – 12 p.m.Sarah’s Market & Cafe200 Concord Avenue, Cambridge MA

Around Town

Check Your Precinct Location Postcards, They May be Incorrect

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Charlie BreitroseSome of the precinct locations change postcards, such as those above, have the wrong information on them. The City Clerk’s Office encourages voters to check their voting location. The City of Watertown sent out postcards to residents in precincts that will be voting in a different location from the previous election. However, many of the cards show the incorrect information. The postcards were delivered Wednesday, Aug.

Election 2022

Challenger Critical of Longtime Governor’s Councilor in State Primary Race

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WCA-TV

For more than two decades Watertown’s Marilyn Petitto Devaney has served as the Governor’s Councilor for District 3, but in 2022 she faces an opponent in the Democratic Primary, Mara Dolan, who questions her voting record on judges and her relationship with other members of the Council. The Governor’s Council, also known as the Executive Council, votes on the Governor’s nominations for judges in all levels of state courts, clerk magistrates, as well as members of other state boards, including the Parole Board, the Appellate Tax Board, and the Industrial Accident and Industrial Accident Reviewing boards. They also vote on the Governor’s proposed pardons and commutations of prisoners, as well as, the warrants for the State Treasury. The candidates debated each other Monday night on Watertown Cable Access TV, and covered a range of topics, including a recent Boston Globe article that focused on Devaney’s relationship with the other members of the Council and a vote to approve a judge who refused to publicly reveal her stance on abortion rights. Candidates

Devaney pointed to her record as an independent voice on the Governor’s Council who often went against the others, and cited some reforms she has spearheaded including continuing to broadcast meetings on YouTube after the pandemic restrictions ended and prohibiting contributions by nominees to members of the Governor’s Council.

Comprehensive Plan

City Hosting Two Workshops, Survey on the Comprehensive Plan Update

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The City of Watertown announced two chances for the public to participate in the updating of Watertown’s Comprehensive Plan. City officials released the following announcement:

Come plan for our future – together! The City of Watertown and its planning team are hosting an interactive workshop on September 20, 2022 and September 29, 2022 starting at 6:30 p.m. to discuss draft goals and review preliminary strategies which will guide future decisions about new development, transportation options, business and economic development, open space and recreation, and more. Confirmation of the location of these meetings will be available soon. Attend either (or both) workshops to learn more and share your thoughts with us.

Early Voting

Watertown’s Dates for In-Person Early Voting for the State Primary

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown residents cast their ballots at Watertown Town Hall in the 2020 Massachusetts Presidential Primary. Early voting will be available in 2022. The City of Watertown provided the following information:

In Person Early Voting for the MA State Primary will be August 27-September 2, 2022 at Watertown City Hall at 149 Main St in the Philip Pane Lower Hearing Room on the Ground Floor. Election day is Sept. 6.

Alexandria Real Estate

Roadwork on Mt. Auburn & Arsenal Streets Could Overlap

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Two of Watertown’s major roadways in the eastern part of town are scheduled to be undergoing roadwork at the same time. On Aug. 9, the City Council approved funds to replace water mains on Mt. Auburn Street, and also accepted easements provided by properties on Arsenal Street to allow for improvements along the sidewalks. Some of the work will occur simultaneously, which concerned some Councilors, including Tony Palomba.

Election 2022

Governor’s Council Candidates Will Appear in Live Televised Debate

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The candidates for Governor’s Council District 3 will be appearing on a live debate on Watertown Cable Access Television. The candidates will appear on the ballot for the Sept. 6 State Primary. WCA-TV sent out the following information:

We’re excited to announce that WCA-TV will be hosting a televised debate between the two democratic candidates running for Massachusetts District 3 Governor’s Council in the upcoming Primary Election; incumbent Marilyn Petitto Devaney and challenger Mara Dolan. DATE: Monday, Aug.

Government

Council Asking Legislature to Allow Residential Property Tax Relief

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Wikimedia Commons / ChensiyuanMassachusetts State House. City officials requested that the State Legislature give Watertown an exception to a state law that would give residential property owners a break on their taxes. For years Watertown has shifted the burden of property taxes from residents to commercial, industrial and personal property taxpayers. The City Council has voted for the maximum shift of 175 percent. State law, however says that the total portion of the residential tax cannot be below the higher of 50 percent of the tax levy or the lowest percentage of the tax levy made up by residential property tax since the the City created tax classifications for different types of properties.